Virgil van Dijk has been warned by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman his place in the national team squad is at risk unless he rediscovers his top form.
The Liverpool defender, like many of his team-mates at club level, has struggled to maintain consistency this season and has been exploited by opposition sides as a result.
Questions were asked ahead of last campaign regarding how the 31-year-old would fare in his first year back following his long-term lay-off caused by an ACL injury, though Van Dijk played a starring role in the Reds claiming a domestic double and reaching the Champions League final.
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Receiving his fair share of critics for displays at international level, however, Dutch icons such as Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit are among those to have been left far from impressed with the Reds' No.4 in recent months. A 4-0 loss to France in a European Championship qualifier last month will have done little to convince the retired duo that Van Dijk remains an integral member of the national team.
Asked whether the Reds' No.4 is still a certain starter for his side, Koeman told Studio Voetbal via FC Update: "Still, but it [Van Dijk] will have to be better. We are well endowed with central defenders."
Sharing his views on why Van Dijk is no longer at the peak of his powers, the ex-Everton boss added: "Of course he got injured. A knee injury, a muscle injury and then a World Cup played in November, but I think his lesser form also has to do with the team he plays in. Liverpool was known for putting pressure and winning balls in midfield, so Virgil also got into less trouble. The chance of mistakes has now become many times greater."
"Of course he [Van Basten] is allowed to criticise. I also have that on Virgil. I have always said to Virgil: 'You should always assume that the player next to you makes a mistake'. Then you have to look: am I good? Good at the situation? Sometimes he just has to enter the game much harder and shorter, but then he keeps his position too much. I also discuss that with Virgil."
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